Judith Heumann's memoir co-written with Kristen Joiner is titled Being Heumann - An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. (#1,049). She is one of the many disabled activists instrumental in the ultimate passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. That life-changing legislation has been in place long enough so that you probably don't even notice it - the curb cuts and ramps to make sidewalks and buildings accessible, the closed-captioning option on your TV, the braille numbers beside the elevator or ATM at your local bank. All these and more were mandated by the ADA.
To read Judy Heumann's story is to be made aware of the slights and indignities that are part of everyday life for the average disabled person, and to realize that these exclusions from the tasks of everyday living are a violation of their civil rights. Unsurprisingly, the Trump administration did everything in its power to roll back all the progress made through the ADA with judicial appointments which will affect the future for the disabled community for years to come.
Her story is told matter-of-factly, even humorously, in her memoir. From being left a quadriplegic due to a childhood bout of polio, to her amazing rise to national and international prominence as an advocate for disability rights is, if you will pardon the pun, an eye-opening read. I probably wouldn't have come across her amazing story if this memoir hadn't been suggested for my book club. If your local library doesn't have a copy, buy one! I did. You owe it to yourself and to them.
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